Containers

ABSTRACT

1,090,723. Moulded containers; filling containers. IAN AINSLIE &amp; CO. Ltd. Jan. 15, 1965 [Jan. 21, 1964], No. 2612/64. Headings B8D and B8T. A container e.g. a beer barrel, comprises two cup-shaped end members 2, 4 compression moulded from a polyester resin mixture containing glass fibres lying at random, the end members being joined by means of adhesively. coated screw threads, either directly or indirectly through a tubular part 6. The screwthreaded parts may be tapered. As shown, the joints between the part 6 and its adjacent end member are surrounded by a nylon ring 10 under tension, to which is adhered a rubber ring 12. A ring 24 of metal is riveted to integral lugs 30 on the end member 4, and a metal plate riveted to the member 2. A clip 16 is bolted to the container interior as a seating for the lower end of a discharge pipe 22 held at its upper end by a fitting 14. The container interior may be coated with an epoxy-phenolic lacquer. Washing and filling.-Before filling, the container is inverted over a washing nozzle, the pipe 22 and associated fitting 20 having been removed. The container is filled through a pipe (not shown) having a bayonet connection with the fitting 20, the pipe pushing the tube 22 against a spring so that the lower end of the pipe engages a metal contact 40. An electric circuit is thereby established from the supply pipe via the members 22, 40 to a metal strip 42 forming part of the plate 36 which is in electrical contact with the filling-machine. A measured quantity of beer is thereby filled into the container.

I. AINSLIE CONTAINERS Feb. 27, 1968 Filed Jan. 13, 1965 mm olrh////////// inn 4 I nvenior If fi/ndsfl' By I A Home ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A container is formed of two cup-shaped end parts, andoptionally an intermediate part, composed of glass fiber reinforcedpolyester resin. The ends of the parts are threaded, coated withadhesive and then screwed together.

This invention is concerned with'a method of making containers fromplastics materials. It is particularly concerned with beer kegs, but itis also applicable to other containers, especially containers forchemically active liquids.

According to the present invention a container is formed by twocup-shaped end parts moulded from a resin mixture containing glassfibres lying at random in the resin mixture, the end parts being joinedtogether by an adhesive, either directly or through an intermediatetubular part.

The end parts are preferably joined to an intermediate tubular part bymeans of screw threads and adhesives. For example, each moulded end partmay fit over one end of the tubular part and have an internal Acmethread engaging a matching thread ground or machined into the tubularpart. The thread preferably tapers slightly towards the adjacent end ofthe containers. A rubber sealing ring may be interposed between the endface of the tubular part and the opposed annular surface in the endpart.

The resin mixture with the glass fibres has initially a dough-likeconsistency. It is a feature of this invention that the cup-shaped endparts of the container are made by compression moulding the resinmixture between cooperating dies which are forced together so as tospread out between them the desired measured quantity of resin mixture.The use of a resin mixture with random glass fibres enables the endparts of the containers to be made conveniently and economically with astrength capable of withstanding an internal pressure such as thatapplicable to beer pressurised with carbon dioxide.

An example of a beer container according to this invention is shown inthe accompanying drawing which is a longitudinal section through thecontainer.

The container is formed by a lower cup-shaped end part 2, an uppercup-shaped end part 4 and an intermediate tubular part 6. The end partsare stepped outwards in diameter at their circumferences and screw overthe ends of the tubular part 6, the thread 8 in each case being a coarseAcme thread at a quarter inch pitch. During assembly, a thin layer of anadhesive, for example the adhesive 828/DDM of the Shell Chemical CompanyLimited, is applied over the threads to form a permanent andliquid-tight seal. It will be seen that the inner surfaces of the threeparts are flush at the joints; this is desirable in the case of a beerkeg, since any crevices might tend to retain contaminating matter.

The thread at each end of the tubular part 6 tapers towards the adjacentend of the container, and the internal threads in the end parts arecorrespondingly tapered, so that the end parts can be screwed tightlyonto the tubular part. After the three parts have been assembledtogether, a nylon ring 10 is fitted around each joint and is in tensionso as to add to the security of the joint. Around each nylon ring arubber ring 12 is fitted and is secured by rubber adhesive. During use,the container can be rolled along the rubber rings.

Before the three parts of the container are secured together, an outletfitting 14 is secured in a hole machined in the upper end part 4, and aclip 16 is secured to the lower end part 2 by means of a bolt 18. Theoutlet fitting 14 screws into a bush 19 and the joint is madefluid-tight by a resin adhesive. A similar resin adhesive is appliedaround the clip 16 to seal the hole through which the bolt 18 passes.

After the three parts of the container have been put together, anextractor fitting 20 is inserted into the outlet 14, and this carries atube 22 which extends into the clip 16 for support at its lower end.During use, beer is forced into the lower end of the tube 22 by the gaspressure in the container, and the beer flows up the tube 22 and outthrough the outlet 14 and through a tap or other control device (notshown) screwed into the outlet 14.

A frusto-conical metal ring 24 with a rolled upper edge 26 is secured tothe upper end part 4 by rivets 28 passing through integral lug 30projecting upwards from the end part 4. The rivets actually pass throughoutwardly deflected tabs 32 struck from the metal ring 24. The ring hastwo holes 34 defining handle portions by which the container can becarried.

Underneath the lower end part 2 there is a circular metal plate 36 whichis riveted to downwardly extending lugs in the same manner as the metalring 24. When a number of containers are stacked, a rim portion 38 onthe plate 36 of one container fits within the ring 24 of the containerbelow it. Before a container is filled with beer, it is inverted over awashing nozzle, and the container is located by the metal ring 24 sothat the nozzle directs a jet through the opening 14, the extractorfitting 20 having been previously removed. After the jet has ceased andthe water has drained out of the container, the container is invertedready for filling, and the extractor fitting is inserted into position.Beer is supplied through a pipe (not shown) which is secured into theextractor fitting 20 by means of a bayonet and which pushes down thetube 22 against spring action, so as to bring the lower end of the tube22 into engagement with a metal contact member 40, and this establishesan electrical circuit from the supply tube, through the tube 22, thecontact member 40 and the bolt 18 to a tongue 42 forming part of thecircular plate 36, which is in electrical contact with the base of thefilling machine; the closing of this electrical circuit then sets ofiF abeer-supply mechanism (not shown) which dispenses a measured quantity ofbeer into the container.

The end parts 2 and 4 are moulded from a resin mixture consisting of apolyester resin, and accelerator, a catalyst, a mineral filler, andglass fibres of about /2 inch to /8 inch length. A preferred mixture isthat sold by Resinous Chemicals Limited as their compound DK903.

The tubular part 6 may be made in various ways. For example, it may becut from a continuous length of plastic tubing formed by winding onto amandrel a glass fibre thread or a woven glass fibre tape impregnatedwith a resin, preferably a polyester resin. In this case the ends of theout 01f section of tube must be tapered and the thread must be machined.Alternatively, individual tubular parts may be formed by laying around amandrel sheets of woven glass fibre impregnated with resin, after whichthe ends of the tube may be tapered by machining, and at the same timethe thread may be machined. As a further alternative, the tubular partmay be compression moulded between half dies which press into shape apreform of glass fibre mat impregnated with resin,

moulding, are also possible.

jIn order to avoid tainting the beer inside the container,

the inner surface of the container is coated with 'a nontaint lacquer,'for example an epoxy-phenolic lacquer.

, One or more coats of the lacquer may be applied, for. example byspraying or by rolling a quantity ofthe lacquer-around inside thecontainer and then pouring out the excess. The coating lacquer and thevarious adhesive seals should be hardened by baking for about an hour at200 C.

The container shown in the accompanying drawing is an 11 galloncontainer, but containers may be made in this form in various sizes. Theresins may be coloured in any desired fashion, and the metal ring 24 orthe plate 36 may have trade marks or names impressed on them; the metalin both cases may be stainless steel, aluminum or mild steel.

I claim:

'1. A container including two cup-shaped end parts compression moldedfrom a polyester resin mixture containing random laid glass fibers, endportions on said parts, complementary tapered threads on said endportions, an adhesive coating on said threads, and said'end portionsbeing screwed together and forming an adhesive reinforced threadedjoint.

taining random laid glass fibers, an intermediate tubular V part ofpolyester resin reinforced with glass fibers, end

portions on said cup-shaped end parts and tubular part, complementarytapered threads on said end portions, an-

adhesive coating on 'said threads, the end p ortions ofsaidJcup-shapedend parts being; screwed totheend, ortions of saidtubular part and forming an adhesive eiu forced threaded joint. 1

Q v References i ited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,535,308 4/1925 Shaw' 220-52,351,3 87 6/1944 Anderson. 2,489,766 11/1949 Ernestus 22069 2,973,1162/1961 Roberge "220-64 X 3,073,475 1/1963 Fingerhut 220-3 3,095,9937/1963 Balcom 22 0-36-X 3,124,001 3/1964 Conley 220- 3 -X FOREIGNPATENTS 976,165 3/ 1961 France. 326,026 6/ 1962 Switzerland.

THERON E. CONDON, Primmry Examiner.

GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Examiner.

cup-shaped end

